December menus; sugarplum party for the nutcracker set. A shellfish salad with rice soup. A sugar pie to bake for Christmas breakfast

To serve, ladle hot rice into 6 small soup bowls. Mix parsley into fish and vegetables; pour into a wide bowl. Place 2 or 3 lettuce leaves on each of 6 dinner plates, then spoon vegetables and shellfish with some of the dressing over lettuce; accompany with rice. Makes 6 servings.

Tarragon vinaigrette. In a bowl, blend 1/2 cup lemon juice, 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon dry tarragon, 2 teaspoons dry thyme leaves, and 3/4 teaspoon sugar. Slowly pour in 1-1/2 cups salad oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly.

Christmas breakfast

If you like, assemble sugar pie the night before, but bake it in the morning so its fragrance will permeate the kitchen.

Brown Sugar Pie

Butter Cream Cheese

Mulled Cranberries

Dried Figs Dates Havarti Cheese

Pomegranates Tangerines

Cappuccino Orange Juice

Eat the sugar pie plan or topped with butter, cream cheese (have about 1/2 lb.), and cranberries. Present dried figs and dates to munch with havarti.

Brown Sugar Pie 1 package active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water (about 110[deg.]) 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2/3 cup (1/3 lb.) butter or margarine, at room temperature 2 large egg yolks About 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

In a mixing bowl, blend yeast, water, and 1/4 cup of the sugar; let stand 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the butter, the egg yolks, and 1-1/2 cups of the flour. Beat with an electric mixer until dough is stretchy, about 5 minutes.

Spread remaining flour on a board; scrape dough onto it. Knead dough until it feels fairly smooth, about 10 minutes, then roll out in a 10- by 14-inch rectangle on an ungreased 12-by 15-inch baking sheet. Fold edges of dough about 3/4 inch onto rectangle; pinch edge to form a rim. Dot dough within rim with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Set aside in a warm place for 15 minutes; or cover and chill overnight.

Bake in a 350[deg.] oven until most of the sugar has melted and the sugar pie is evenly browned, about 20 minutes. If made ahead, cool on pan, wrap airtight, and store at room temperature up to 24 hours; cover and warm in a 350[deg.] oven about 15 minutes. Cut into wedges. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Mulled Cranberries

In a 1-1/2- to 2-quart pan, combine 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 2/3 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice, and 1 cinnamon stick (2-1/2 in. long). Cook, covered, on low heat until berries are translucent, about 15 minutes. Stir gently until sugar dissolves. Serve warm or cool. Serves 4 to 6.